Should dogs drink milk?

Some dogs have no problems digesting milk and dairy products. Yet others experience acute intestinal distress — like gas, diarrhea or vomiting — whenever they consume these kinds of foods. It all comes down to how your dog handles a specific nutrient found in milk — a nutrient known as lactose. read more

Now to be fair, and in rare cases, a dog can be allergic to the protein in milk 1. However, milk shouldn’t be considered toxic for a dog. Yet for dogs that are lactose intolerant (as so many actually are), dairy products can present a real problem. read more

“Dogs have varying degrees of lactose intolerance, so some dogs who drink milk may just experience mild GI distress, or none at all, while others will have severe clinical signs,” shares Brausa. Further, milk and dairy products are common triggers for food allergies in dogs. read more

Milk that is lactose free, or even reduced fat has far fewer benefits to drinking it in the first place, making the entire process virtually pointless for a dog. On the other hand, whole milk is thicker, creamier and should be given in smaller amounts. Consider the purpose of milk to begin with; it is a liquid food meant for growing baby animals. read more